OUR VISION

Our vision is a vibrant and civically engaged Latino community in Washington. Latino Community Fund of Washington identifies, shares and advocates for what is working in the Latino community. Healthy and educated Latino families build vibrant local communities and economies in Washington State.

OUR MISSION

The Latino Community Fund cultivates new leaders, supports cultural and community based non-profit organizations, and improves the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

To achieve its mission and address the needs of Latinos, LCF programs create a vibrant community through civic engagement, healthy families, arts and culture.

Guiding Principles

The members of the Latino Community Fund believe in:

A Strength and Asset-Based Approach – We pledge to start every process by focusing on what is best in people and communities and then building on those assets (e.g.: people, culture, existing programs, business, money, etc.) we already have.

Participatory Processes – We value efficiency, transparent decision-making, and devoted leadership. We welcome people of all incomes, races, ethnic backgrounds, languages, sexual orientations, genders, and abilities to participate in Latino Community Fund processes, activities and events.

Latino-Led and Latino Accountable Work – We consciously accept the duty to solve the challenges we face. Latinos must be active participants in the development of our future.

Creating communities of inclusion, mutual support and respect – Although we are a transnational, transracial and trans-ethnic community, we still struggle with classism, colonialism, racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression. To move forward, we must first identify and dismantle those walls that keep us apart so we can move together into a better tomorrow.

Capacity-Building – We invest to develop the skills, knowledge and connections of the leaders and organizations that implement change in our communities.

Accountable, Effective and Replicable Practices – We are committed to the professional, ethical, moral and legal standards that govern non-profit and philanthropic work. We focus on results driven, culturally competent, language appropriate and evaluated practices that can be shared among communities.

Latinos as Philanthropists – We are committed to dismantling the stereotype of Latinos as takers and to acknowledge that many Latinos are already philanthropists giving back to their communities, here in the United States and Latin America, through a variety of mechanisms.

The Strength and Beauty in the United States Latino Community – No matter what country we come from, what label we choose to use (e.g.: Latino, Hispanic, Chicano, Xicano, Maya, etc.) or what political or religious affiliations we have, we are strong and we are part of a greater community that loves and respects our roots in this continent.

Open and Transparent Philanthropy – All fundraising and grantmaking must be open, objective, and transparent.